Ocean in a Drop

India’s invisible majority are poor yet literate in their own traditions and increasingly online. Ocean in a Drop is a film about these emergent online populations told by rural women and children, artisans and entrepreneurs. Shot in 2015 the filmmakers visited fourteen villages throughout nine districts across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

A film by Andrew Garton in collaboration with the Digital Empowerment Foundation and INOMY Media and in association with the Internet Society, Australia India Institute and the Association for Progressive Communications. Ocean in a Drop is a production of Secession/Films.

Production commenced January 2015. Ocean in a Drop was completed February 2017. The film is accompanied by the book, Right to Know – India’s internet avant-garde, a soundtrack album, an eight-part web series and a podcast. The web series is available exclusively on Cinemata. The podcast series is available on all platforms; search for Right to Know.

Video-on-demand

Choose to watch Ocean in a Drop now, hire or purchase a digital copy for a modest fee.

All proceeds from rental and purchase of this film go directly to the filmmakers towards the production of new works by Secession Films.

Screenings

9-11 Feb 2019 – Brahmaputra Literary Festival, Assam, India
Jan 2019 – Assam Documentary Festival, India [TBC]
26 May 2018 – DD1, national television broadcast, India
18 Dec 2017 – Chennai International Film Festival, India
16 Dec 2017 – 15 Years of DEF, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India
19 Jul 2017 – WordFest, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
18 Jun 2017 – St Andrews Community Hall, Victoria, Australia (Preview screening)

Media

Screening of Ocean in a Drop in India (Australian High Commission, New Delhi, Media Release, 20 December 2017) [Text]
Australian Movie Director Andrew Garton @ 15th Chennai International Film Festival (CineInfotv.com, Chennai)
Australian filmmaker takes digital learning to rural tribes (DT Next, Daily Thanthi, 20 December 2017) [Text]
We are living in scary times (Chennai, Times of New India, 20 December 2017) [Text]
Plug into the web with caution (New Delhi, The Pioneer, 18 December 2017) [Text]
Afternoon Adda interviews the Director (podcast)
We Are Moving Stories Interviews the Director

Crew

Writer / Director – Andrew Garton
Director of Photography – Jary Nemo
Second unit camera – Rohit Dhall
Design – Cathy Chen
Media and Translations – Udita Chaturvedi
Translator – Ravi Guria

Resources

Download the Media Kit [PDF 2 MB]
Download the Book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde.Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute
Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes.
Ocean in a Drop on Facebook
Ocean in a Drop and Right to Know Series on Cinemata

Lecture and screening at Amrita University, Kerala, Dec 2017

Official Selection at 15th Chennai International Film Festival, Dec 2017

Screenshots

Book a community screening in Australia

Community screenings are a great way to share the experience of watching new films with small groups within intimate settings. It’s also a way to stimulate discussion about the topics explored in the film. You can also book a Q&A with the Director.

License fees

Small (Up to 75 people): $210 + shipping
Large (Over 75 people): $315 + shipping
Director’s appearance: Fee and travel costs available on request

Shipping costs include a screening version on DVD or thumb-drive if a download screener is not available.

Complete the booking form, provide as much information as you can and we’ll discuss your event needs and the kind of support we may be able to provide.